But Kerry argued that "no matter what your feelings were" about Charlie Hebdo, "the freedom of expression it represented is not able to be killed by this kind of act of terror."

"I agree with the French imam, who today called the slain journalists 'martyrs for liberty,'" Kerry said. "Today's murders are part of a larger confrontation, not between civilizations ... but between civilization itself and those who are opposed to a civilized world. The murderers dared proclaim, 'Charlie Hebdo is dead.' But make no mistake, they are wrong."

Kerry also spoke in French directly to the people of France and referenced the country's history as an American ally and the first modern democracy in Europe.

"Our countries are still united. Liberty. That's it," he said, according to a translation by Business Insider. "No country knows better than France that liberty has a price."